.jpg)
Application job forms are still popular among employers. In fact, it doesn’t matter what job you are applying for—you will almost always have to fill out an application. Depending on the job, you may be asked to apply via email or an online form, and you might even be asked to complete a few paper forms.
Even if you have a great resume and cover letter, you will still almost always need to fill out a job application form. This form helps the employer get consistent data on all candidates in one place, which helps ensure they follow all laws and treat all potential candidates equally.
Any application you fill out, when signed or confirmed online, is proof you gave true information about yourself. The information should be as accurate as possible to raise a minimum of questions in the hiring process.
What Are Job Application Forms?
An application form, also known as an employment application, is an essential part of the process of getting hired at a new company. These forms are designed to collect specific information the employer needs when considering applicants. You may be asked to write down almost anything, from your educational background to personal references. Some businesses are interested in your previous supervisor’s contact information so they can obtain relevant feedback about your work experience. Since the application form requires very specific information, you will want to make sure all the names, dates, and numbers match those listed on your resume. Any mismatches will require extra proof at best—and be considered a lie at worst.
Types of Job Applications
There is no single “right” way to apply. Each employer is free to choose their own application forms and process. There can be online and physical job applications that may require being completed electronically or on site.
It’s also worth noting that application job forms are not always a must, and sometimes your resume will be more than enough. No matter the circumstance, however, you should still carefully read all the requirements related to the hiring process.
Online Job Applications
When we talk about online applications, we primarily mean big platforms like LinkedIn (the most popular one among Careerist graduates), Glassdoor, Monster, Dice, Indeed, etc. These platforms let you fill in application forms, attach your resume directly, and send everything to employers without any extra work on your part.
Quite often big companies include external hyperlinks to their website. In this case, follow the same principle, attaching your resume and filling in any extra information. It’s a good idea to log in to company websites via LinkedIn, as it saves time by filling in all the necessary information automatically.
In-Person Job Applications
In-person job applications are less popular today, but one may still find some application forms at retail businesses. The forms at these businesses are usually short, and there is nothing much to worry about. We still recommend keeping a few notes on your smartphone about some of the main points in your life to fill in the application with a minimum of errors.
Keep in mind that a completed application doesn’t guarantee the job, though. You still have to go through an interview process.
Email Job Applications
Email job applications sound simple, but they require time to be properly prepared. The language should be professional and polished, following all the rules of formal emails. We strongly recommend searching for some examples of formal letters, picking one that is applicable for your position, modeling your own email after it, and checking grammar and spelling before sending it.
Paper Job Applications
Some companies are not interested in studying your resume and prefer that you fill in their own forms instead. If you are an applicant they are interested in, a hiring manager might ask you to fill out a paper form. There is nothing to worry about here either, since you just have to write the same information you already have on your resume into a different form. The paper application doesn’t mean there is something wrong with your resume; it’s more about following the company’s standards.
Download Examples of Job Application Forms
In case you are still nervous about filling out job application forms, you can practice with these examples. Once done, you’ll likely have no problem filling in the next few forms with confidence. Basically, all you need to do is print out the document and fill it in slowly, paying attention to details. The good news is the forms in the link above are some of the best practice job application forms.
Tips for Using an Application for Employment Template
So what kind of information might you be asked for in a job application form? In general, you are expected to provide contact information, some facts from your work history, your educational background, and your city, state, and zip code, all of which may be hard to write down off the top of your head.
Jot it down. Make a physical or digital note with some basic information about yourself. It may include employment dates, experience, and the full names of the institutions you previously worked for. It will save a ton of time in the future and make it easier to apply to any job. It’s also a good idea to go through some application templates and jot down some relevant facts about yourself.
Match the form with your resume. All the information on your resume should match the information you provide in the job application form. This is super important for the number of years you have worked at previous places, years of schooling, and any other trainings you have completed. The length of employment also matters. Any differences will look strange and require explanation.
Job applications also often require more than just your street address, city, and state. Quite often you’ll need to include your full last name, telephone number, and actual contact information.
Practice. Any draft job application you have that you can practice on will work. In fact, the best practice job application could be simply filling out a few sample applications before a real one. You will be able to consider your experience and pick up on information you need to answer, including dates and position duties. Less often, you will be asked about references. (Note: You don’t need to type out your address or employer name, business type, or anything like that when practicing.) At the same time, some employment applications include test tasks or so-called “technical interviews”. This may also bring to light some of the duties you may face in the job.
When writing about your life experience in a job application, it is always a “must” to be as clear as possible. Even if there is an opportunity to mention your desired hourly rate, don’t miss the chance. The golden rule is that everything should match and “click” for any recruiter, so triple-check everything on your job application forms to make sure it’s all correct.